Original: This note doth tell me of ten thousand French
Modern: This report tells me that ten thousand French soldiers

Original: That in the field lie slain: of princes, in this number,
Modern: Have been killed on the battlefield: among them, princes,

Original: And nobles bearing banners, there lie dead
Modern: And noblemen who carried their family flags are dead—

Original: One hundred twenty six: added to these,
Modern: One hundred twenty-six of them: and in addition to these,

Original: Of knights, esquires, and gallant gentlemen,
Modern: There are knights, esquires, and brave gentlemen—

Original: Eight thousand and four hundred; of the which,
Modern: Eight thousand four hundred dead; and of these,

Original: Five hundred were but yesterday dubb’d knights:
Modern: Five hundred had just been knighted yesterday:

Original: So that, in these ten thousand they have lost,
Modern: So out of the ten thousand men they’ve lost,

Original: There are but sixteen hundred mercenaries;
Modern: Only sixteen hundred were hired soldiers;

Original: The rest are princes, barons, lords, knights, squires,
Modern: The rest were princes, barons, lords, knights, squires,

Original: And gentlemen of blood and quality.
Modern: And noblemen of high birth and rank.

Original: The names of those their nobles that lie dead:
Modern: Here are the names of their noblemen who died:

Original: Charles Delabreth, high constable of France;
Modern: Charles Delabreth, the highest military officer of France;

Original: Jaques of Chatillon, admiral of France;
Modern: Jaques of Chatillon, the admiral of France;

Original: The master of the cross-bows, Lord Rambures;
Modern: Lord Rambures, the commander of the archers;

Original: Great Master of France, the brave Sir Guichard Dolphin,
Modern: The brave Sir Guichard Dolphin, Great Master of France,

Original: John Duke of Alencon, Anthony Duke of Brabant,
Modern: John Duke of Alencon, Anthony Duke of Brabant,

Original: The brother of the Duke of Burgundy,
Modern: The Duke of Burgundy’s brother,

Original: And Edward Duke of Bar: of lusty earls,
Modern: And Edward Duke of Bar: and among the strong, vigorous earls,

Original: Grandpre and Roussi, Fauconberg and Foix,
Modern: Grandpre and Roussi, Fauconberg and Foix,

Original: Beaumont and Marle, Vaudemont and Lestrale.
Modern: Beaumont and Marle, Vaudemont and Lestrale.

Original: Here was a royal fellowship of death!
Modern: What a noble group of men to die together!

Original: Where is the number of our English dead?
Modern: Where is the count of our English dead?

Original: Edward the Duke of York, the Earl of Suffolk,
Modern: Edward the Duke of York, the Earl of Suffolk,

Original: Sir Richard Ketly, Davy Gam, esquire:
Modern: Sir Richard Ketly, Davy Gam, esquire:

Original: None else of name; and of all other men
Modern: No one else of noble rank; and of all the common soldiers

Original: But five and twenty. O God, thy arm was here;
Modern: Only twenty-five. Oh God, your mighty power was here;

Original: And not to us, but to thy arm alone,
Modern: And we give credit not to ourselves, but to your power alone,

Original: Ascribe we all! When, without stratagem,
Modern: We give you all the glory! When has there ever been a battle, without tricks,

Original: But in plain shock and even play of battle,
Modern: But just straightforward combat and fair fighting,

Original: Was ever known so great and little loss
Modern: Where there was such a huge difference in casualties

Original: On one part and on the other? Take it, God,
Modern: Between one side and the other? Take the credit, God,

Original: For it is none but thine!
Modern: Because this victory belongs only to you!

In Act IV, Scene 8 of “Henry V,” the English forces return from the Battle of Agincourt, and King Henry learns the full extent of their remarkable victory. The scene opens with the English discussing the aftermath of the battle, including the killing of the French prisoners—an action Henry had ordered during the fighting. When Montjoy, the French herald, arrives again, Henry firmly asks if the French have come to seek another battle or to acknowledge defeat. Montjoy humbly requests permission to collect and bury the French dead from the battlefield, effectively conceding victory to the English. Henry learns from the herald that the battle took place in the fields near the castle of Agincourt, and he declares that the victory shall bear that name.

The scene concludes with the reading of the casualty lists from both sides, which reveal the astounding disparity in losses. The French have suffered catastrophic casualties, with thousands of nobles and soldiers killed, including many princes, dukes, and lords of high rank. In stark contrast, the English losses are remarkably few—only a handful of noblemen including the Duke of York and the Earl of Suffolk, with the total English dead numbering approximately twenty-five to twenty-nine men depending on the count given. Overwhelmed by this extraordinary outcome, Henry attributes the victory to God’s intervention rather than English prowess, forbidding his men from boasting and ordering that Non nobis and Te Deum be sung. He then announces they will proceed to Calais and from there return to England.

Henry V follows the young English king as he transforms from the wayward Prince Hal into a decisive military leader. The play opens with Henry’s court debating his claim to the French throne through his great-great-grandmother’s lineage. When the French Dauphin mockingly sends Henry tennis balls as a gift, suggesting he should stick to games rather than warfare, Henry uses this insult as justification to invade France. He sentences three conspirators - Cambridge, Scroop, and Grey - to death for plotting against his life, then sets sail for France with his army.

The English forces land in France and lay siege to Harfleur, which Henry captures after his famous “Once more unto the breach” speech. However, his army is weakened by disease and casualties. Meanwhile, we follow the tavern companions from Henry’s youth - Pistol, Nym, Bardolph, and Hostess Quickly, who reports the death of Falstaff. The English army, vastly outnumbered, faces the French at Agincourt. On the eve of battle, Henry disguises himself and walks among his soldiers to gauge their morale, engaging in philosophical discussions about kingship and responsibility.

The Battle of Agincourt proves to be a decisive English victory despite overwhelming French numerical superiority. Henry orders the killing of French prisoners when he believes the French are regrouping, and becomes enraged when he discovers French forces have killed the English boys guarding the baggage train. The English suffer minimal casualties while French losses are enormous. The play concludes with Henry’s courtship of Princess Katherine of France, conducted partly in broken French and English. Their marriage seals the Treaty of Troyes, which names Henry as heir to the French throne, though the Chorus epilogue reminds the audience that Henry’s son would later lose these French territories.